Founded in 1998 by Yo’av Levy and Assaf Kedem on Moshav Kidmat Tsvi in the Golan Heights, the first facility of this winery was located in a cow shed and initial production from that vintage year was 1,800 bottles. Today, entirely under the auspices of Levy, the winery is currently producing about 30,000 bottles annually, half of those from grapes grown in its own vineyards on the Golan Heights. Until 2005 the winery released only Cabernet Sauvignon wines. The winery's first Merlot was released from the 2006 vintage.

The wines are in two series: Reserve and Bazelet Hagolan, the first aged in oak for about 20 months, the second for 8–10 months. Production has been kosher since the 2004 vintage. (By the way, bazelet is volcanic soil, the kind that typifies much of the Golan Heights)

When I visited last summer Astrid was there to greet us and grant us samples for tastings. She is very knowledgeable and speaks a wonderful English. That the winery too is excellent goes without saying.

I understand that there are those who believe that the quality of the wines from this producer dropped a bit following the departure of co-founder Assaf Kedem. Assaf is now making wines for his own winery, "Assaf winery" and I hear they are quite good.

Truthfully I haven't tasted anything from the winery from the past year, and what I last tried was from the 2004 vintage. My note for that wine (one of the first I ever wrote) follows:

2004 Bazelet Hagolan Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve - Israel, Galilee, Golan Heights (8/12/2007)Somewhat lacking in color, a dark, though translucent purple with ruby around the rim. A very vegetal, though attractive bouquet with a hint of red fruit and and oak. Quite a bit of red fruit on the palate, with generous sweet cherry, strawberry, and very soft, well in integrated tannins. A well balanced effort, with a long, fruity finish. (91 pts.)

Daniel, these scores are WELL below previous releases, and in fact, I think I remember scores from you on the 2005 reserves (cab AND merlot) that were quite a bit better than these here.

What gives?

Here you go:Bazelet Hagolan, Merlot, Reserve, 2006: Full-bodied and intense. Dark, almost inky garnet in color, with still gripping tannins, a generous 15% alcohol content but showing fine balance and structure between spicy and vanilla rich wood and fruits. On first attack red currants and raspberries, those yielding to Oriental spices and wild berries and, on the finish generous hints of bitter-sweet chocolate and espresso. Complex and long but needs time. Best 2009-2014.NIS 140. Score 91. K (Tasted 15 Oct 2005)

[quote="Menachem S"]Daniel, these scores are WELL below previous releases, and in fact, I think I remember scores from you on the 2005 reserves (cab AND merlot) that were quite a bit better than these here. What gives? [/quote'

Menachem, Hi.....

I have noticed a lowering in quality during my last tastings, possibly part of that due to adjustment to the loss of one partner, possibly due to the switchover to kashrut. Also accounted for possibly by differences developing "between the barrel and the bottle"

As to the Merlot 2006, there must be a typogrpahical or other error somewhere along the way as I could not have possibly tasted the 2006 Merlot Reserve (not even in barrel) in Octobr 2005, almost a full year before the 2006 harvest.

I'll stand comfortably with the current tasting notes. I will of course be visiting the winery again after the 2008 harvest and will be reporting back at that time.